Laws & Enforcement

Laws & Enforcement

The Philadelphia Parking Authority employs three levels of enforcement of parking regulations: issuing parking tickets to vehicles that violate regulations; applying the boot to vehicles that accumulate unpaid tickets; and, in certain cases, towing and impounding vehicles until outstanding fines and fees are paid.

Parking Tickets

PPA provides parking enforcement in Center City, University City and all neighborhood commercial areas. We also enforce all Residential Permit Parking and residential street cleaning districts.

Parking Enforcement Officers patrol during the following hours:

6AM to 10:30PM Monday – Wednesday

6AM to 12AM Thursday

6AM to 3AM Friday

6:30AM to 3AM Saturday

7AM to 11PM Sunday

Please note: the Philadelphia Police Department also enforces parking violations. They patrol 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In order to help them enforce parking regulations appropriately, all PEOs receive extensive training in parking management principles, enforcement directives and customer service awareness. They are highly knowledgeable about all the parking violations they are asked to enforce.

Explanation of Parking Violations

Detailed explanations and fine information on each and every parking violation.

Philadelphia has many narrow streets that make it difficult for mass transit to operate efficiently, particularly when other vehicles are parked carelessly. You will receive a ticket is issued for this violation if a Parking Enforcement Officer observes a mass transit vehicle that is unable to move as a result of your vehicle obstructing its path.

A ticket will be issued immediately if your vehicle is observed to be parked in a marked Bus Zone. (You will not be ticketed simply for parking along a SEPTA route.) This fine will be $25.00 higher in Center City and University City.

If your vehicle does not have a Taxi license plate, a ticket will be issued if it is observed to be stopped or parked at a Taxi stand.

* Tickets for these violations in Center City or University City will be $25.00 higher.

Table of Violations and Fines

Parking violations and parking ticket fines are set by the Philadelphia City Council. This table lists current fines as well as the applicable sections of the Philadelphia Traffic Code. You can access the Philadelphia Code and Charter through the City’s website, www.phila.gov .

Vehicle must be removed within two hours of the boot release, especially if the booted vehicle obstructs traffic.

Vehicles are not released until the driver presents certification of proper registration, insurance and driver’s license. You must also pay the total amount due, including all outstanding tickets, fees, fines and penalties, before you can take possession of your vehicle. Vehicles impounded through the Live Stop program must also satisfy all outstanding tickets at the Traffic Court. Vehicles that are not claimed within 21 days are sold at public auction.

The Boot

Vehicles with three (3) or more unpaid parking or red light tickets are eligible to be booted after their owners receive a series of notices. Boot crews patrol all public roadways and PPA managed properties in Philadelphia. Please note: if your vehicle is booted, you must pay the total amount due, including all fees, fines and penalties, before the boot can be removed. This will include a $150 boot fee.